Having a baby is no small feat. Intended parents want to know that the woman carrying their precious bundle of joy is physically and emotionally healthy enough for such a responsibility. As a woman considering becoming a surrogate, you might be interested in researching the screening process. Here at Joy of Life®, we have an extensive screening service that ensures peace of mind for both surrogates and intended parents.
In this article, we’re looking at the numerous steps involved with surrogacy screening:
Medical, Social and Drug History
Every surrogate must undergo some medical testing and a drug test. This also includes additional testing at a fertility clinic.
These surrogacy screening exams ensure the surrogate is physically healthy and able to carry a baby to term. At Joy of Life®, we are looking for surrogates who have a body mass index under 30, a successful pregnancy history, a healthy lifestyle, are between the ages of 21-38, have no history of drug abuse or smoking, and have had no more than two c-sections or five deliveries.
If all that is clear, an official medical record from a physician will then be required.
Birth Records
A surrogate is a woman who ideally has had at least one child before. The surrogate must provide previous birth records to the agency. It is preferable for a potential surrogate to have had successful pregnancies without major complications.
Background Checks
In addition to providing the agency with medical records, Joy of Life® will carry out a background check to ensure that the prospective surrogate has no criminal or child abuse record.
Medical Evaluation
Medical records give surrogacy agencies a chance to understand a surrogate’s previous medical history, but the prospective surrogate will also have to undergo a routine medical evaluation at a fertility clinic. For many agencies, this step is completed after the surrogate has found a match with the intended parents. Tests included in this evaluation are blood and urine samplings, a saline sonogram of the uterus, and a physical exam.
Mental Health and Psychological Evaluation
Being a surrogate is rewarding, but it can also be challenging. This is why at the onset, each surrogate must see a psychologist in order to discuss her emotional well-being, personality, and sensitivity regarding giving up the child they will carry.
While this type of surrogacy screening may make some people nervous, it’s in place to help the surrogate and the intended parents. It’s important to understand whether the surrogate is up to the emotional challenge. Counseling is also available throughout the pregnancy to help the surrogate.
Final Thoughts
At Joy of Life®, our screening process is thorough, so we can ensure surrogates are mentally and physically healthy as well as committed to the surrogacy process. Our extensive process provides both peace of mind for the surrogate and the intended parents. And as surrogates ourselves, we are intimately acquainted with the importance of the surrogacy screening process, and provide a nurturing team to help both the surrogate and the intended parents.
Joy of Life Has a Surrogacy Team To Walk With You
Joy of Life® is a leading surrogacy company located in Southern California. We are a diverse team made up of former surrogate mothers, parents whose lives were changed by surrogacy, clinical coordinators and health care providers. Thanks to our unique experiences, we can truly walk with those considering being surrogates and those looking for a surrogacy option.
If you would like to learn more about surrogacy in California, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our consultants here at Joy of Life Surrogacy.
